Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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September 4, 2014

Around the Island we go…

The muskie bite is producing in the late evenings around the shore lines or in the weed beds. Smaller lures with a slower presentation are the best choice for getting them to bite but if you like a faster option, the cowgirls are the way to go.  The walleyes continue to hit on hammered gold jigs tipped with minnows or crawler harnesses with leeches in 25’-30’ water around GardenIsland or Little Oak.   The weather looks to be about the same as the south end with partly sunny to partly cloudy skies, highs in the high-60’s to low 70’s with just a slight chance of rain and wind throughout the week.

Fall rates start Sept 15!
Rates as low as $58 per person per night!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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August 27, 2014

True North, Grid North or Magnetic North?

Set your GPS to the north around Garden Island and you will find walleyes being caught.  Controlled depth fishing has been producing in 30’-35’ water in the muddy areas.  Also effective is in 15’-20’ water in among the rocks and the shallow corners of reefs.  Hammered gold spinners, Shad Raps, Little Joes and Wally Divers are getting the job done.

Jig fishing is producing the walleye bite as well.  Reports have been that the early morning or the late afternoon bite outside the Gap to around 30’ water is when and where those walleyes are biting.

Rocky
25 in walleye pulling spinners
Captain Mike		 Keplin Crew
August 2014
Captain Dan		 Axel Berny, San Francisco, CA
28.5 inch walleye released
Captain Dave

The weather forecast for the week includes partly sunny to partly cloudy skies, highs in the high-60’s to low 70’s with just a slight chance of rain throughout the week.

The water has been receding in front of the lodge to where we are able to load and unload guests from the launch boats without having to use the centralized docking system.  But as always, things can change so if the weather changes, we will too.  Boat slips, however, are still unavailable at this time.  Please give the front desk a call at 1-800-862-8602 if you have any questions.

Labor Day Special!

Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free in lodge rooms or cabins at Sportsman’s LodgeRainyRiver location!

Book your stay today.

Fall Rates start Sept 1!

Reel in the walleyes and stay for rates as low as $40 per person per night!

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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August 27, 2014

What kind of fish can we find this week?

Choosy walleye is what we’ve been finding.  Slow and steady seems to be winning out when fishing for walleye. Hammered gold jigs with minnows or crawler harnesses with leeches in 25’-30’ water around GardenIsland or Little Oak seem to be producing the bite. Either anchoring or drifting have been producing results too.  The muskie bite is still somewhat finicky but doing better in the late evenings around the shore lines or in the weed beds especially when the moon is bright.  Smaller lures with a slower presentation seem to be having the best luck but if you like a faster option, the cowgirls seem to be the lure of choice.  There’s also been reports of the start of some crappie action and also the northerns and perch have been around as well.

The weather looks to be about the same as the south end with partly sunny to partly cloudy skies, highs in the high-60’s to low 70’s with just a slight chance of rain throughout the week.

Fall rates start Sept 15!
Rates as low as $58 per person per night!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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August 20, 2014

Where, oh where…

There have been reports of successful fishing excursions in a variety of areas around the lake.  If you are wanting to bait fish, head to about the 15’-20’ range, find some rocky reefs and points and the walleye will find you.  Hammered gold spinners tipped with a leech or a crawler are still the lure of choice.  The northern part of the lake around Garden Island or Little Oak seems to be producing the best chances of reeling in those walleyes.  The controlled depth fishing has been successful as well.  Walleyes are being found at any depth but the main target area is deep in the mud or in the rocks.  Wally divers or shad raps are producing the best chances of reeling in those walleyes. The weather looks like it will be a mixed bag of partly sunny to partly cloudy skies, chances of rain and temps ranging from the mid-60’s to the high 70’s.

Larry with the Schweers Group
August 2014
26 inch walleye pulling spinners
Guided by Captain Mike

Evan Smith
26 inch

The water is going down but because it is still higher than normal we continue to use our centralized loading/unloading system for our charter boats.  Our boat slips are not available at this time.  Please call our front desk at 1-800-862-8602 if you have any questions.

August Specials at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River Location!

Friday, Aug 22 & Saturday, Aug 23-$79 lodge rooms for up to 2 adults and 2 kids plus tax.

Labor Day Week Special Aug 26-Sept. 1. Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free in lodge rooms or cabins!

Book your trip today! 800-862-8602 or online here. 

80’s Party!

Saturday, Sept 30!
Contests! Prizes! Specials! Entertainment! Lots of fun!

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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August 20, 2014

…to find the fish…

There’s reports of big walleyes abound swimming the lake.  Hammered gold jigs with minnows or crawler harnesses with leeches in 25’-30’ water around Garden Island or Little Oak seem to be where the walleyes are being found.  It seems as if either anchoring or drifting have been producing results too.  The muskie bite is still somewhat finicky but doing better in the late evenings around the shore lines or in the weed beds especially when the moon is bright.  Smaller lures with a slower presentation seem to be having the best luck but if you like a faster option, the cowgirls seem to be the lure of choice.  There’s also been reports of the start of some crappie action and also the northerns and perch have been around as well.  Just like the south end, the weather looks like it will be a mixed bag of partly sunny to partly cloudy skies, chances of rain but with temps ranging from the mid-60’s to the low 70’s.

Fall into great fall rates!

Fall is a incredible time for excellent walleye, sauger, muskie, pike, crappie and bass fishing at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge.

Click here.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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August 13, 2014

Off the hook…

This week of controlled depth fishing, anglers have found most of their walleyes in the trophy and slot walleyes. So pump up your arms, and get ready for the fight!  Head up by Garden Island, get into 30’-32’ depth and get those Wally Divers, Shad Raps and Clown Lures moving and the walleye will keep coming.  Bait fishing is still doing well too.  Head up by Little Oak to the 19’-24’ range to find the walleye.  Hammered gold spinners tipped with leeches or crawlers are still the lure of choice.  The weather looks like a mixed bag coming up this next week with days of partly to mostly sunny skies, some rain and some wind, with temps in the mid-70’s.

Mel Heinen, Rogers MN
28 inches.  Released.
Guided by Captain Dave

The water is going down but because it is still higher than normal we continue to use our centralized loading/unloading system for our charter boats.  Some of our boat slips are available for use at this time.  Call our front desk at 1-800-862-8602 to find out what’s available as they are on a reserved-basis only.  However, because of the fluctuating water, electricity is not available at this time.

August Specials at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River Location!

Friday, Aug 22 & Saturday, Aug 23 – $79 lodge rooms  for up to 2 adults and 2 kids plus tax.

Labor Day Week Special Aug 26 – Sept. 1. Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free in lodge rooms or cabins!

Book your trip today! 800-862-8602 or online here. 

80’s Party!
Saturday, Sept 30!
Contests! Prizes! Specials! Entertainment! Lots of fun!

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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August 13, 2014

The Tale of Two Sides…

Just like the South End, there have been big walleye and slot walleye being found in Minnesota waters.  The keepers have been hiding and are harder to lure up for the bite.  Little Oak, Garden Island and Four Blocks have seem to be producing the most walleye so head towards the depths of 19’-24’ and be patient!!
Tim Siercks
August 4th – 39 inch
August 5th – 35 inch
Guided by Captain Eric “Snag”

The muskie bite has certainly picked up in the Canadian watersover the last week.  Weed beds and around the shorelines have been producing the best results.  Make sure you are in shallow water of 10’ or below; bucktails have been the lure of choice for this week.  The walleye bite is still holding steady as well.  The algae bloom is in full stride so be prepared to navigate through the green water.  The weather looks similar to the South end with some chance of rain, temps in the mid-70’s and partly to mostly sunny skies.

The water has gone down about 3 inches but it still continues to be high.  The boat launch at Young’s Bay is open. Boat docking is available at the lodge and we continue to make changes to keep the service available and safe.

Fall into great fall rates!

Fall is a incredible time for excellent walleye, sauger, muskie, pike, crappie and bass fishing at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge.

Click here.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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August 6, 2014

Different Methods, Same Results…

There has certainly been the need for flexibility this summer.  What’s the saying?…if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.  Such is the case.  Both bait fishing and controlled depth fishing have been producing walleyes but it just depends on the day and the water that determines which method is used.  Bait fishing has remained constant and has produced walleyes in about 14’-20’ water.  Hammered gold spinners tipped with a leech or crawler is always a good bet to what they will bite on.  As far as the controlled depth fishing, the hard north wind has muddied the water, so most anglers have headed north.

The water has receded somewhat within the last few days but because it is still higher than normal we continue to use our centralized loading/unloading system for our charter boats.  Some of our boat slips are available for use at this time.  Call our front desk at 1-800-862-8602 to find out what’s available as they are on a reserved-basis only.  However, because of the fluctuating water, electricity is not available at this time.  Next week’s weather looks like summer as the highs are in the 80’s with mostly sunny skies.

Tom Kenville Group

Save this Date!
80’s Party Aug 30, 2014
Pack your zubaz and stone washed jeans in your tackle box, it is time to celebrate the 80’s!
Come for the specials, entertainment, contests like bar Olympics and more!
You won’t want to miss it! http://sportsmanslodges.com/80s-weekend/
Labor Day Week Special
This won’t last long!  Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free in our lodge rooms or cabins at our Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location. Book your getaway today!

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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August 6, 2014

Two Sides, One Goal…

Fishing on the Minnesota side has been tricky.  The walleye bite has been finicky as they have been marking the fish but the fish have not been biting.  However, Little Oak and Four Blocks have been producing in about the 22’-30’ range so set your sights (and your GPS) that direction.  Gold or chartreuse jigs or hammered gold spinners tipped with a minnow can get the job done for you.  You will find that the walleye bite is still strong on the Canadian side.  In the evenings, head to the shoreline and the weed beds and you will find that the muskie bite is strong.  Pink cowgirls have been working well but the smaller lures are getting them to bite just as much.  The rash of fish flies seems to be ending just as the algae bloom is greening up the water.  However, the weather looks warm and sunny so that should brighten things up as well.

The boat launch at Young’s Bay is open. The water is high at the lodge but boat docking is available and we continue to make changes to keep the service available and safe.

Bryan Viles

Have you recently been to Sportsman’s? Tag us in your pictures on Facebook! We would love to see your photos. https://www.facebook.com/sportsmanslodges

Mixing it up….

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If you are looking to fish the Minnesota side, look towards Four Blocks or Little Oak as the walleye bite is still holding up.  On the Canadian side, the muskie bite has started to improve once again after a slight dip.  Find the weedbeds along the shore and you should find fish.  The walleye bite is still holding strong in areas between 18’-24’.  Green seems to be the hot color at the moment – tip your 3/8 oz jig with chubs or frozen shiners and you should get a bite, or two, or many!  Northerns and perch are also showing up so be ready to reel!  As with the southern end, the weather looks warm and sunny so that should brighten things up as well.

fishing2

The boat launch at Young’s Bay is open. The water is high at the lodge but boat docking is available and we continue to make changes to keep the service available and safe.

fishing3

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, Sportsman’s is the place for them all!
Whether it is hard water fishing, early, late or mid season of soft water fishing or you just want a place to relax and get away from it all, Sportsman’s is the place to go. Three locations situated in legendary Lake of the Woods, we have something for everyone. www.sportsmanslodges.com